LIP THERAPY

The Arizona desert is bone dry, and my lips have been looking and feeling just like the desert. I don't even dare put on dark lipstick because the color just ends up looking flakey and cracked. Have you experienced that? Vaseline is a brand I have trusted for years to heal the skin of my babies, and now they have created these pocket size Lip Therapy tins that are perfect for sticking in your handbag, diaper bag or pocket for relief on the go.

What I especially love about Vaseline Lip Therapy is that they offer aloe and cocoa butter formulas for additional healing properties to really moisturize your lips. Every morning I wake up and apply the cocoa butter formula and then I apply my favorite berry colored lipstick. It gives my lipstick a glossy appearance without the gummy, sticky texture that can come with other lip glosses. They only cost $3.99 at your local Target. That's beauty at bargain prices. You really can't beat that and your lips will thank you.

This post is in partnership with Vaseline Lip Therapy.

HAIR TRENDS

Back in high school dying your hair blue was reserved for the punk rock, rebellious kids. Now it's a style trend that can't go unnoticed. Most women under 30 have attempted gray, pink, purple and blue, and the trend doesn't appear to be going anywhere. Here are some other trends you should definitely consider embracing because, after all, if you don't like it your hair will always grow back, right? 

Gray is the new black. Hoards of young women are going gray... on purpose. This new hue can be seen on runways like Gucci and celebs like Hillary Duff or Rihanna. In fact, this hair color has become so trendy I bet you'll even be able to spot it on a hip 20-something at your local coffee shop. 

Sleek and twisted are two key words when it comes to this spring's hair trends. Maybe we can attribute it to the latest Starwars flick, but Princess Leia buns have never been so cool. 

If you can't be bothered to gel your hair back into a precisely parted and knotted bun, do not despair. This next trend barely requires you to brush your hair at all. Embrace bed head and the art of the undone 'do. Give your hair a tousled look with a rough blow dry and some sea salt spray and call it a day. 

If you've ever considered getting bangs, now is the time to take a leap of faith. Bangs are not only the ultimate fashion-girl haircut (Anna Wintour, Naomi Campbell, Alexa Chung...) but they are in style and oh so much fun. Longer fringe is always a safe bet, but if you're feeling brave, take some inspiration from the sharp, short Rodarte bangs above. 

Images from Vogue.com. 

WESTERN BELT TREND

In today's fast paced fashion world it can be quite difficult to keep up with the latest trends. It's fun to play around with trendy clothes every once in a while, but it can be costly to do. This is why I love playing around with accessory trends. It's much easier to justify buying a trendy accessory than it is to shell out money for a trendy coat or dress that may soon be obsolete.

Lately I've been noticing lots of western belts being worn in different ways and I love the power they have to spice up a basic outfit. Transform a simple t-shirt dress by throwing on a floppy hat, a bandana neckerchief, and a western belt to achieve a laid-back cool girl vibe that's perfect for spring. They go great with cutout booties, too! In the Southwest, our thrift shops are brimming with loads of western inspired accessories, but this trend is all over stores if you look. You can find my favorites from ASOS below. 

Images from Pinterest. See more of my favorite trends here. 

SILK PANTS

I'm still working on getting my body back into shape after having Levi. I'm definitely making progress having lost about 25 pounds now, but I still have 10 more to go. Until then I'm avoiding spending a lot of money on jeans I'll only wear for a couple of month. Instead, elastic waistbands definitely come in handy for transitioning body because they can, obviously, expand and contract as my body changes. 

I found these comfortable and cute silk printed pants at Nordstrom Rack the other day. I don't know if it's the 5am wake up calls or not, but this PJ inspired outfit is one of my favorite go-to's right now. I love wearing simple t-shirt with these pants, and adding a blazer and slipper flats to complete the look. (If you need help with styling prints, check out Monday's post).

To dress up the outfit I like to add mules from Sole Society and my favorite diaper clutch from Petunia Pickle Bottom. 

Clothes that you can run around in and chase after kids that are stylish seem hard to come by, especially things that are machine washable too. So, take my word for it, these are a great buy if you're in a similar life stage or even if you don't have kids. 

I can't say that men are all to keen on these pants, but, hey, that's what they say about maxi dresses and I still can't live with out them in my life. Wear what makes you feel confident and comfortable because that's how your beauty will truly shine.

Shop the look: Silk pants (similar), black t-shirt, white tuxedo jacket, black suede blazer, black mule heels, black slipper flats, clutch.

Photos by Rennai Hoefer

TOP 10 SWIMSUITS FOR SUMMER

Swimsuits are like jeans. Both items are wardrobe essentials and fit is key. This also means that shopping for them is not always easy. However, swimsuit shopping doesn't always have to be a dreaded task. Be realistic with your standards and your body. Know what kind of swimsuit you're in the market for. (A.K.A. Will you be sipping mojitos in a lounge chair or chasing the kids around the backyard in the sprinklers?) What I love about swimsuits this season is the wide range of cute one pieces available. The designs are anything but plain and there's a great assortment of fun cutouts and funky patterns to choose from. 

Below you'll find my top swimsuit picks. Get a head start on your swimsuit search by clicking on the small boxes at the bottom to start shopping. It's never too early to start dreaming of summer vacation.

Photos by Jaci Marie. Model: Summer Bellessa.